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Nonablative laser improved facial pores, overall skin texture

A low-energy, nonablative fractionated 1440-nm laser safely and effectively reduced patients’ detectable facial pores and improved skin appearance, according to study results.

“So many patients complain about the size and the appearance of their pores, and this is the first study to have objective data,” researcher Nazanin Saedi, MD, assistant professor and director of Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, told Healio.com.

 

Nazanin Saedi

In a prospective, single-arm, nonrandomized study, 20 patients (mean age 40 years; 19 women) received six treatments at the highest tolerable energy level with a fractionated nonablative 1440-nm laser every 2 weeks. Photographic assessments were conducted during the study. A pore score, used to determine the percentage of skin surface with detectable pores, was calculated. Patients and investigators reported subjective measurements of pore appearance, skin texture and overall skin appearance.

Pores were significantly reduced in size after six treatments. At baseline, total average pore score was 2.059. Two weeks after final treatment, the average pore score was 1.7, resulting in an average reduction of 17%. Investigators’ average scores, based on a 0-to-4 scale, were 1.95 for improved pore appearance and 2.75 for improved overall appearance, correlating to moderate (more than 50%) to marked improvement (51%-75%). Patients’ ratings were similar with average scores of 1.9 for pore improvement and 2.85 for overall appearance.

Patients reported an average discomfort score of 4.6 (1-to-10 scale). Six patients displayed mild erythema, two patients had dryness and one patient had flaking 2 weeks after final treatment. None of the side effects was considered serious or long term.

“Clinical results from the study demonstrate that a low-energy non-ablative fractionated 1440-nm laser is safe and effective for reducing pore count, improving pore appearance and improving overall skin texture,” Saedi said. “It’s interesting that a low-energy device can provide these results. It is not unexpected though because we do see this with higher energy devices.”